Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka survived a first Australian Open test, but last year’s beaten finalist Zheng Qinwen suffered a shock second-round exit. The Chinese star reached her first grand slam showpiece here last year before going on to win Olympic gold and establish herself as one of the best players in the world.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — It wasn't often pretty, but two-time defending Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka extended a few impressive streaks on Friday while becoming one of the first players to advance to the fourth round of the year's opening Grand Slam tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka survives first Australian Open test, while Chinese ace Qinwen Zheng is shocked; Naomi Osaka sets up meeting with fellow mum Belinda Bencic; watch all the action from the ATP and WTA Tours on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+,

Naomi Osaka, a two-time champion in Australia, stopped playing because of a strained abdominal muscle after dropping the first set of her match against Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Belinda Bencic.

Two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus owns the longest Australian Open women's singles winning streak in more than a decade after advancing out of the third round on Friday in Melbourne.

While there have been plenty of surprises in the men’s bracket so far, most of the top women have progressed through the draw without an issue.

MELBOURNE: Aryna Sabalenka said early exits by big ... the second round with Zheng Qinwen’s defeat by world number 97 Laura Siegemund. Sabalenka sealed a battling 6-3 7-5 victory over Spaniard ...

Aryna Sabalenka overcame a tough challenge to advance at the Australian Open, defeating Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. Meanwhile, Laura Siegemund shocked Zheng Qinwen, the Paris Olympic gold medalist, ending her title pursuit.

Zheng lost the 2024 decider at Melbourne Park to Aryna Sabalenka and went on to win ... some pressure on her own serve with five breaks. Laura Siegemund celebrates with her coach and partner ...

Zheng Qinwen is out of the Australian Open after a shock defeat to Germany’s Laura Siegemund. Zheng, the No. 5 seed and last year’s beaten finalist, lost 7-6(3), 6-3 after her serve unraveled in the fourth game of the second set.

World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka kicks off the second week of the Australian Open against teenager Mirra Andreeva, while Coco Gauff takes on Belinda Bencic for a spot in the quarterfinals.